MANA Region 4 Conference

Chicago, Illinois

June 2003

Judson College
Elgin, Illinois

In recent years, midwives in
Region 4 have been beseiged by legal problems and
persecution by state governments, so much of the
conference focused on these issues.

The conference was well organized
and held in a lovely and convenient location.
Clearly, the conference crew worked hard to
organize an exceptional conference for their
region.

One of the most
fascinating workshops was presented by Valerie
and attorney, Ken Runes. They did a role-play of
a midwife in legal trouble, talking with her
attorney for the first time.

Ina May Gaskin was our Keynote Speaker

Suzanne Suarez, Attorney-at Law

Pam Maurath, Consumer Advocate

Suzanne Suarez
and Pam Maurath did an interesting
presentation about Midwifery and the Law

My
presentation addressed how midwives
can develop partnerships with their clients

MANA Region 4 Sage
Femme Award

During one of
the General Sessions, Ina May Gaskin, former MANA
President, was to make a presentation to the
midwife chosen to receive MANA Region 4 Sage
Femme Award. In her presentation, she said:

"The MANA
Reg 4 RepGera Simkinsasked me to
present the Midwest Region Sage Femme award. Gera
cannot be here until tonight as her son is
graduating in St Paul.

"There
were many fine women from whom to choose for this
award. Some of the nominees include Jill Kent,
MN, Patrice Bobier, MI, Frieda Miller, OH, Jane
Peterson, WI, Ginnie Priest, WI, and Alice
Skenandore, WI. And we honor each of them for
their wonderful gifts to midwifery as well as to
mothers, babies and families in the Midwest
region.

The Sage Femme Award
goes to
North Americas first Certified Professional
MidwifeAbby J. Kinne!

When Ina May announced my name,
you could have knocked me over with a feather!

And then she read on....

"Abby been involved in midwifery
since 1963 when the first of her five children was born.
She was a La Leche League Leader from 1966 to 1981,
serving as Group Treasurer, Chapter Treasurer, Chapter
President, and State Newsletter Editor.

"She co-founded the Center for
Humane Options In Childbirth Experiences (CHOICE), a
Columbus, Ohio Midwifery Service, in 1977. She is
currently serving CHOICE as Executive Director and
Midwifery Coordinator.

"She co-founded the Ohio
Midwives Alliance (OMA) in 1984. She is currently
serving as the President of the Ohio Midwives
Alliance and Editor of Birth Write,
OMAs quarterly newsletter.

"She has served MANA as
Statistics and Research Committee Chairperson from 1986
to 1988 and as Membership Chairperson from 1993 to 1995.
She served as the MANA Treasurer from 1995 to 2002 and is
currently the First Vice President of MANA.

"She has contributed to the
development of the North American Registry of Midwives
(NARM) National Registry Exam, served on the NARM
Certification Task Force as Skills Validation Chair and
she holds the distinction of becoming the first NARM
Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) in North America in
1994.

"Abby currently has 8
grandchildren and resides in West Jefferson, Ohio with
her husband, Rev. Fred Kinne. She has caught hundreds of
babies, has mentored many midwives, and has worked
tirelessly for three decades for womens right to
choose midwives as care providers.

"Abby, we honor you with this
award today, . . .

(reading from the certificate)

In appreciation of
your compassionate and skillful work in serving
mothers, infants and families,
and for your pioneering and courageous work in
preserving the tradition of midwifery,
we honor you, this Seventh Day of June, 2003.

And then she presented me with
a beautiful necklace, handmade especially for
me...

Healing
Earth

A one of a kind design from sterling silver
and semiprecious stones for healing and balance,
the stones include:

Green Jade - inspires the
mind to have wisdom to make quick, precise
decisions. Has a calming effect and represents a
long and prosperous life.

Bloodstone - Regulates energy
flows and emotional balance. It is used for
hemorrhaging.